25p text for bus details

MONEY saving scheme means Chorley commuters will have to send a 25p text to find out when the next bus is coming.

Lancashire County Council has launched a new initiative to save money on printed and electronic timetables, meaning people now have to send the text to get information.

More than 50 bus stops across Chorley borough are left without timetable information now, leaving customers furious.

Jeff Lostock was waiting at a bus stop on the A6 in Whittle-le-Woods when he saw the notice telling him to text the council. He said: “I think this is discriminating against older people, because a lot of pensioners don’t have mobile phones.

“Some people who use the bus services regularly might know when their bus is due to arrive, but some people will be from out of the area and will have to rely on this texting service.

“I’m only using the buses while my car is being fixed, but I feel sorry for anyone who has to use the bus often.”

LCC said the move is part of a long-term plan to save more than £170m in the run up to 2014.

Tim Ashton, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “The timetables at certain bus stops have been removed, as part of county council’s wider plans to save £179m up to 2014.

“We had to make some tough decisions in finalising our budget to protect frontline services and spend £133m less on management and administration over the next three years.”

He added: “There are still many different ways for passengers to find out travel details.

“The county council will continue to provide bus timetable information on posters at bus stations/interchanges, and it will still be available over the internet or by phoning Traveline.”